On September 30, 1935, a group of men established a German Club to keep their heritage and culture alive. They first met in Nick Gruenwald’s Delicatessen Store in Rahway and soon the first official meeting was held at the Greven’s Hotel in Rahway. Karl Kummer was elected as the first president and the name “Deutscher Club of Rahway” was adopted. Present were the following, besides Nick: Ludwig Gassmann, William Degenhardt, Hermann Klenner, Anton Horling, Karl Kummer, Hugo Mueller, William Troebling and Joseph Rack, to be followed by Oscar Rodig, Bernard Hitzler and Louis Grubel. Shortly thereafter, their ladies joined them and the Club grew to a membership of 100. All enjoyed the activities, such as Easter egg hunts and Christmas parties with gifts for the children from Santa, New Year’s Eve parties, picnics, movies and lectures.

During the early 1940’s, the Club moved into Eagle’s Hall in Rahway to support its increasing membership. When World War II began, many of the members were not American Citizens. John Barger, Mayor of Rahway (whose grandparents were German), received special thanks for his efforts in creating an atmosphere of German-American patriotism and fostering an excellent relationship within the community.

In 1950, the Deutscher Club decided to purchase a Club House to support its ever-growing membership. The members had the foresight to select an old Farm House located on acres of land, with abundant trees and adjacent to a reservoir. Their dedication, skill and hard work transformed this “Ole House” into a beautifully enlarged Club House with a Manager’s apartment. The work was completed in 1969, financed by selling certificates of indebtedness to members and it was called “Waldeslust”. The Manager couple, Gottfried and Sigrid Monschke, whose hard work and dedication was a tremendous credit to the club, moved into the apartment.

The first president, Karl Kummer, was succeeded by the following: Ludwig Gassmann, Karl Jacobi, Anton Horling, Franz Papen, Karl Ilg, Bruno Baum, John Muenster, John Bohlen, Max Schoene, Lutz Weber, Roland Schaller, Horst Stabenow, Hans Weilandt, Kurt Fuchs and our current president, Walter Lehmann.

At one time the club had it’s own Singing Group, Stamp Club, Soccer Team and Ski-Schussers, all now inactive, but since 1980 the Skat players have met weekly and held yearly tournaments.

The Ladies Division, first founded in 1955, was activated again in 1979, with Inge Kummer Gates as its first president. Over the years, the ladies have organized card parties, fashion shows and other cultural events, such as a “Christkindlmarkt” (Christmas Market). The proceeds from these events have enabled the Ladies Division to help beautify the Club and make donations toward large purchases. The current president is Magda Helmers.

Special mention should be made of the Deutscher Club Blood Bank, which was started in the late 1960’s. A bi-annual blood drive gives the Club a ready reserve for its members and their families.

In 1973, the Club’s name was changed to “Deutscher Club of Clark, Inc.” and the by-laws were introduced.

In August of 1978, after some planning and designing, a new Club flag was proudly dedicated.

In an effort to advance the German culture and education, the Deutscher Club financially supports many organizations, schools and other cultural institutions, locally and nationally. Annual scholarships are provided for college bound students, who major in German language or history. This fund is called the “Karl Kummer Scholarship Fund of the Deutscher Club of Clark”, in memory of the first president.

At the “Waldfest”, held on Father’s Day in the beautiful picnic grove and Festhalle, a “Miss Deutscher Club” is selected to represent the club at various occasions, such as the Steuben Parade.

Every year in September, club members participate in the Steuben Parade. Several buses transport a large marching delegation, including a guest band from Germany, from the Deutscher Club in Clark to 5th Avenue in New York City. The day following the Steuben Parade, the Club celebrates its traditional “German Day in Clark” to once again enjoy German “Gemütlichkeit”, in the large picnic grove with a guest band from Germany.

Since 1995, there have been quite a few changes. After the acquisition of land along the reservoir from the Middlesex Water Co., plans were made to build a new “Imbisshalle”. To make room for that, the Playground was relocated and some new equipment was added. In May 1997, Eduard Schielke grilled the first Bratwurst in the new facility.

All the old food stands were removed to make room for a “Festhalle”. The first step was taken the following August, by installing posts and a roof. A blacktop floor and a dance floor together with a bandstand were completed by May 1998. Various members then donated the tables and benches. A new fence was erected along the entire length of the reservoir. The parking lot was increased and paved. In 2000, a new shed was built, in which equipment, necessary for the care of the grounds, can be stored. The next project was the complete remodeling of the former manager’s apartment into various meeting rooms and an office for the Executive Board members. The next phase was the kitchen renovation and in November 2001, the old utility building was demolished and a foundation for a new one was laid. During the winter months, the inside work was done to have everything completed for the beginning of the 2002 picnic season. The new building houses storage rooms, the beer cooler, toilets to be used at all outdoor events, and a Ratskeller. After completion of this building, a Grand Opening was celebrated in July 2003. The Westside façade received a new face, with new walkway along its entire length shortly thereafter. Improvement and maintenance continues even this year with the installation of a new driveway and landscaping of the club entrance. These achievements of the last few years were only possible because of the generous donations of time and money by our members.

Today, the Deutscher Club of Clark celebrates its 70th Anniversary as the “Oasis for German-Americans in New Jersey”. Because of the hard work and dedication of the Executive Board and its members, we can all be proud of what has been accomplished.